Phi Lambda Sigma induction ceremony celebrates new pharmacy leaders at Binghamton

The Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS, Epsilon Iota Chapter) Induction Ceremony was held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, in the Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SOPPS) Atrium, at 96 Corliss Ave, Johnson City.

PLS recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership service and a commitment to advancing the profession of pharmacy. This new cohort of student pharmacy leaders will become the next generation of role models, whose dedication and leadership guide the profession.

Chapter President, Felix Aung, kicked off the event. Leon Cosler, chapter faculty co-advisor and associate professor of pharmacy practice, offered opening remarks. Cosler began by announcing that 2026 marked the first year that the national organization implemented a completely revised selection and induction process across all 138 North American chapters, resulting in the largest group of new inductees in this chapter’s history, including the largest-ever Binghamton cohort of P1 students.

“It is so encouraging to see such a robust gathering tonight as we witness a significant transition in leadership and the initiation of our newest members,” Cosler said. “This event is more than a celebration of past achievements. It’s a charge to our inductees and current members to remain active in advancing our profession and improving patient care.”

This was then followed by a message from Dean Kanneboyina Nagaraju welcoming and congratulating the inductees on their potential to shape the pharmacy practice.

“Tonight is not simply about what you have accomplished. It is about what you are now interested in becoming, Dean Nagaraju said. “The profession you are entering is not static. The landscape of pharmacy is shifting beneath our feet. We are no longer simply the guardians of medication. We are clinical decision makers, we are researchers, we are innovators, we are policy makers and policy influencers.”

He continued by noting that the next generation of pharmacists will need adaptability, intellectual curiosity, ethical judgment, and emotional intelligence. He concluded with his belief that Binghamton students will help define what pharmacy looks like in 2030 and beyond.

Heeral Naik, a fourth-year PharmD candidate, then introduced the keynote speakers, featuring the leaders of Hackensack Meridian Health, Lucrecia Campisi, Sara Asif Spencer, and Sandi Khalla, who presented “Excellence in Pharmacy Leadership”.

Each had advice to impart to this year’s PLS cohort:

• “People look where I am today and assume the journey here was straightforward. It wasn’t. It was winding, humbling, and at times brutal, but every detour shaped who I’d become,” Campisi said. “You do not need a perfect path to make a meaningful impact. Growth lies in the moments you say yes to discomfort, in the times you push through the unimaginable, and in the quiet, powerful decision to believe that where you start doesn’t define where you’re going.”
  
• “So many opportunities come through connections and professional relationships. Knowing other pharmacists, preceptors, or professionals can help you,” Spencer said. Networking in pharmacy isn’t just a niche extra. You shouldn’t put it on the back burner. It directly affects your opportunities, knowledge, and career growth.”
• “Overall, my journey has taken me from community pharmacy to hospital-based clinical care, to managed care, and back to hospital care at the corporate level. Each step has built on the last and has helped me develop a well-rounded perspective on patient care,” Khalla added. “What remains constant and what my advice is throughout your journey, is your commitment to improving patient outcomes. Have patients be your center.”

The Induction Ceremony for students and officers followed the speakers. This year, 16 members were inducted.

Caroline Jensen, the newest co-advisor of the chapter, executive director of Experiential Education, and clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice, closed out the ceremony with some final reflections on the charge of this year’s PLS inductees.

“Not that long ago, I was sitting where you are now, filled with the same mix of pride, excitement, and a little wonder about what comes next. Being inducted into Phi Lambda Sigma is not simply a membership you apply for. It is a recognition of your actions, your presence, and your commitment to leadership,” Jensen said. “Membership in Phi Lambda Sigma is not just a line on your CV. It’s a commitment to continue growing, to support and elevate those around you, and to contribute meaningfully to the future of pharmacy.”